For good measure Manning was named Most Valuable Player - winning a Cadillac in the process - and while he has had more productive games statistically, the Colts quarterback finally got the biggest job in gridiron done.

Manning, who threw for one touchdown, is no longer a nearly-man. In American sport you are judged by what you win so Manning, who owns just about every quarterback record in the National Football League, could not be perceived as great without a Super Bowl ring.

The prize money of £37,000 per Colt is loose change compared with what Manning, who already has contracts worth around £6 million a year from endorsements and sponsorship, can expect to earn now.

"All I wanted was the chance," said Manning who grabbed it with both hands - literally. His winning performance has silenced the doubters as the Colts recovered from the worst start in Super Bowl history.

Devin Hester's 92-yard return for a touchdown from the kick-off gave the Bears the ideal start but in the first outdoors Super Bowl to be played in the rain Manning reigned supreme, gradually wearing down Chicago with a combination of running and passing plays.

"Everybody did their part," he said. "We worked together.That's been our theme all year - we've won as a team. No panic, we stayed calm throughout the entire game. I'm proud to be part of this team. It feels great to be a part of this championship."

Tony Dungy of Indianspolis made cultural history by becoming the first black head coach to win the Super Bowl. Lovie Smith, the Bears' head coach, is also black and when the game ended, Dungy was hoisted onto the shoulders of his team who carried him towards Smith.

The head coaches hugged each other, a hugely significant and emotional moment in American sport's history. "I'm proud to represent the African-American coaches and proud to win this," said Dungy whose teenage son James committed suicide 14 months ago. "It means an awful lot to our country.

"I thought about all the guys who came ahead of me, who could have done it and didn't get the opportunity. I dedicate the game to them."